Torch handle

ABSTRACT

A torch handle shaped to best fit into a man&#39;&#39;s hand, and to be readily manipulated, is made-up of a handle body which receives three inserts, i.e., the torch, a fitting for connecting the handle body to a supply of gas under pressure, and a valve insert, the latter enclosing an acute angle with the inlet passageway and the outlet passageway defined by the handle body, and the cross-sectional area of the latter progressively increasing from its torch end to the end thereof opposite its torch end.

United States Patent Baranowski, Jr.

[54] TORCH HANDLE [72] Inventor: Frank Baranowski, Jr., 7 Pine St., Lynnfield, Mass. 01940 [22] Filed: Jan. 19, 1971 211 Appl. No.: 107,780

[52] US. Cl ..2$1/148, 239/530, 431/345 [51] Int. Cl ..B05b 11/00, F1611: 51/00, F23d 13/24 [58] Field of Search ..126/271.2 R; 431/345; 239/375, 239/378, 525, 530; 251/148 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,670,241 2/1954 Pyles ..239/525 2,720,257 10/1955 Lynes ..431/345 X [15] 3,679,171 1 1 July 25,1972

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 5,724 3/1914 Great Britain ..239/530 Primary Examiner-Charles J. Myhre Attorney-James E. Mrose [57] ABSTRACT A torch handle shaped to best fit into a man's hand, and to be readily manipulated, is made-up of a handle body which receives three inserts, i.e., the torch, a fitting for connecting the handle body to a supply of gas under pressure, and a valve insert, the latter enclosing an acute angle with the inlet passageway and the outlet passageway defined by the handle body, and the cross-sectional area of the latter progressively increasing from its torch end to the end thereof opposite its torch end.

15 Claims, 7 Drawlng figures TORCH HANDLE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION regulating valve, or vice versa.

This invention relates to a torch handle structure giving full consideration to man-machine aspects as well as mechanical aspects of torch handles, and keeping the structure as simple as possible to minimize the manufacturing cost thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A torch handle embodying this invention includes a handle body having a relatively small cross-sectional area on one end thereof and a relatively large cross-sectional area on the other end thereof. The cross-sectional area of the handle body increases substantially continuously from the small cross-sectional area end to the large cross-sectional area end thereof, and thus the handle body fits into the palm of a mans hand. The handle body defines an inlet passageway having an entrance at said large cross-sectional area end thereof, and further defines an outlet passageway arranged in substantially coaxial relation to, and communicating with, said inlet passageway, and having an exit at said small cross-sectional area end of the handle body. The handle body further defines a valve passageway having an entrance at said large cross-sectional area end thereof. The small cross-sectional area end of the handle body is provided with a duct coupling mechanism for coupling ducts to the outlet passageway thereof. An inlet fitting is inserted into the inlet passageway for connecting a source of combustible gas to said inlet passageway. A valve is inserted into the valve passageway for controlling the flow of a gas from the inlet passageway to the outlet passageway. This valve includes a valve stem movable in a direction longitudinally of the valve passageway, and an operating member juxtaposed to said large cross-sectional area end of the handle body, rotatable about the axis defined by said valve stem, and moving said valve stem in a direction longitudinally thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is substantially a longitudinal section of a torch handle embodying this invention with a torch attached to it;

FIG. 2 is a section along 2-2 of FIG. 1 and is drawn on a larger scale than FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a section along 3-3 of FIG. 1 and is drawn on a larger scale than FIG. I;

FIGSA and 5 show partly in elevation and partly in longitudinal section a modification of the valve of the structure of FIG. 1 in the two limit positions thereof,

FIG. 6 is an end view of the control knob of the structure of FIGS. 4 and 5 seen in the direction of the arrow R of FIG. 7 and drawn on a larger scale than FIGS. 4 and 5; and

FIG. 7 is a side elevation of the control knob of the structure of FIGS. 4 and 5 drawn on a larger scale than F IGS.4 and 5.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the drawings numeral 1 has been applied to generally indicate a handle body, preferably consisting of a casting. Handle body I has a relatively small cross-sectional area on one end 1' thereof and a relatively large cross-sectional area at the other end 1 thereof. As seen in FIG. 1 the left end of handle body 1 has a relatively small cross-sectional area and the right end of handle body 1 has a relatively large cross-sectional area. The cross-sectional area of handle body 1 increases substantially continuously from left to right, as seen in FIG. 1, and

thus forms an outer surface fitting readily into the palm of a persons hand. Handle body 1 defines an inlet passageway la having an entrance 1b at the large cross-sectional area end 1" of handle body 1. Handle body 1 further defines an outlet passageway 10 arranged in substantially coaxial relation to inlet passageway la. Outlet passageway 1c has an exit 1d at the small cross-sectional area end 1' of handle body 1.

The handle body 1 further has a region 1e of restricted cross-sectional area to better fit it to the anatomy of a human hand. This region 1e of restricted cross-sectional area is located between the large cross-sectional area end I" and the small cross-sectional end 1', and closer to the latter than to the former. The cross-sectional area of region 1e is less than the cross-sectional area of the small cross-sectional end 1 of handle body 1, the former being determined by man-tool relations, and the latter by the mechanical requirements of a ductcoupling mechanism which must be provided at the small cross-sectional area end of handle body 1, as will be shown below more in detail.

Reference character d has been applied to FIG. 3 to indicate the thickness of the handle body I. This thickness is substantially uniform throughout the entire length of the handle body 1, but the height h of handle body 1 increases substantially continuously from the region 1e of restricted cross-sectional area to the large cross-sectional area 1" thereof. This geometry contributes greatly to the ease of manipulation of handle body 1, at the same time facilitating its manufacture by casting.

A comparison of FIGS. 2 and 3 clearly reveals that the handle body 1 is cylindrical and has a circular cross-section at the small cross-sectional area end 1 thereof, and has an oblong cross-section at the large cross-sectional area end 1" thereof.

Reference character 2 has been applied to generally indicate a duct coupling mechanism on the small cross-sectional area end 1' of handle body 1 for coupling ducts or torches to outlet passageway 10. FIG. 1 shows a torch 3 being coupled to handle body 1. An inlet fitting 4 is inserted into inlet passageway la for connecting a source of combustible gas under pressure (not shown), e.g., propane, to inlet passageway in. A regulating valve generally designated by reference numeral Sis inserted into regulating valve passageway I f in handle body 1. Regulating valve passageway 1f encloses an acute angle with inlet passageway la, and has its entrance 1g at the large cross-sectional area end I" handle body 1. The regulating valve 5 controls the flow of fluid from inlet passageway Ia to outlet passageway lc. Valve 5 includes a valve stem 5a movable in a direction longitudinally of regulating valve passageway If, and an operating member, or operating knob, 5b juxtaposed to the large cross-sectional area end 1" of handle body 1 and rotatable about the axis defined by valve stem 5a and moving valve stem 5a in a direction longitudinally thereof. To this end the portion of valve stem 5a immediately adjacent operating knob 5b is externally screw-threaded, and engages an internal screw-thread provided in member 5c. The

entrance portion lg of passageway If has the shape of a polygon, preferably that of a hexagon, and the outer surface of member 50 conforms to the shape of that polygon, or hexagon, respectively, thus precluding any rotary motion of member 50 inside passageway 1f relative to handle body 1. The end of stem 5a remote from knob 5b supports a valve element 5d cooperating with a valve seat 1h coaxial with passageway If. Valve seat 1h is situated at the axially inner junction of passageways 1a and 1c. The amount of gas ad- 7 shown in FIG. 2. A plurality of steel balls 2a are inserted into perforations 1m, one ball in each perforation. The freedom of radial inward movement of balls 2a is limited by the small cross-sectional area end 1 of handle body 1, i.e., by the shape, or configuration, thereof precluding steel balls Zn from moving radially further inwardly than shown in FIG. 2. Sleeve member 2b is mounted on the cylindrical portion 1k of handle body 1, and is biased by a helical spring 20 from right to left, as seen in FIG. 1. Sleeve member 2b has two limit positions of which the left limit position is shown in FIG. 1. In that position radial outward movement of steel balls 2a is limited by the inner surface of sleeve member 2a. When sleeve member 2a is manually shifted from left to right against the bias of helical spring 20, a groove inside sleeve member 2c registers with steel balls 2a, and this allows steel balls 2a to move radially outwardly into the aforementioned groove in sleeve member 2a. The torch 3 is provided with a circular groove 3a. When steel balls 2a enter groove 3a, torch 3 is firmly coupled to handle body 1. When sleeve member 2a is in its right limit position torch 3 may be pulled out of handle body 1 by pulling the former to the left, as seen in FIG. I. This causes steel balls 2a to move radially outwardly into the groove provided in sleeve member 2b, thus releasing torch 3.

It will be noted from the above that the cage for receiving steel balls 2a is formed by the handle body proper, rather than by any additional part affixed to it.

In FIG. 2 reference character AA has been applied to indicate the median plane of handle body 1. Plane AA bisects handle body 1 into two parts, one part being a mirror image of the other. The radially outer portion of each of the four perforations lm is nonradially oriented in such a way as to allow formation thereof by portions of a mold oriented substantially at right angles to the median plane AA. This is clearly shown in FIG. 2. The radially outer portions of perforations 1m are shaped so as to allow portions of a mold forming these perforations to be removed from the casting forming handle body I by moving these portions of a mold at right angles to the median plane AA in opposite directions indicated by arrows S. If perforations 1m were radially oriented, as in prior art steel ball coupling mechanisms, the handle body would require much more machining than that shown in the drawings, and disclosed in this context.

When casting handle body 1 the recesses lm may, in essence, be formed by the mold, but the radially inner ends of recesses lm should remain closed and form knock-outs which may readily be removed by a drilling operation, thus providing strictly radially oriented seats for steel balls 2a.

The cross-section of the entrance 1b of passageway 1a is in the shape of a polygon, preferably in that of a hexagon, as clearly shown in FIG. 3. The inlet fitting 4 has a registering portion in the shape of a matching polygon to preclude rotary motion of the inlet fitting 4 inside passageway 1a. Inlet fitting 4 is further provided with a circumferential groove 4a. The hexagonal part 5c of regulating valve 5 is provided with a circumferential groove 5d. Handle body 1 has a transverse bore 1:: (FIG. 3) adjacent the large cross-sectional area end 1" thereof. A pin 6 projects through transverse bore 1n and engages the circumferential groove 4a in inlet fitting 4, and also engages the circumferential groove 5d in part 50 of regulating valve 5 to preclude axial movements of inlet fitting 4 and regulating valve 5 in a direction longitudinally of passageway la, and passageway If, respectively. In other words, the single part 6 locks both fitting 4, and regulating valve 5, in position.

There are instances where it is not desired to regulate the quantity of gas admitted to passageway 10 and to torch 3, respectively, but either to have the communicating passageways Ia and 1c fully open, or fully closed. In such instances the regulating valve 5 of FIG. I ought to be replaced by a shut-off valve, preferably the shut-off valve shown in FIGS. 4-7, inclusive.

Referring to these figures, valve stem 5a is biased by helical spring 5g from right to left, or from the valve open position to the valve closed position. Part 50' is adapted to be fixedly positioned in handle body 1 by virtue of its hexagonal shape and its circumferential groove 5f to be engaged by pin 6 of FIG. 1. Hence valve stem 5a and valve element 5a" are biased to the fully closed position in which valve element 5d engages valve seat lh of FIG. 1. The operating member or knob Sb is mounted on valve stem 5a-', and pinned to the latter, as indicated at 5h. Thus valve stem 5a, and valve operating member, or knob 5b, are affixed to tach other to jointly move in axial direction, and to jointly rotate. A first cam means 5k is arranged at the end surface of operating member, or knob 5b juxtaposed to member 50. Cam means 5k is preferably an integral part of operating member, or knob 5b, and jointly rotatable with operating member, or knob 5b. It has an undulatory cam surface which will be described below more in detail. The first cam means 5k is juxtaposed to a second cam means 51 having an undulatory cam surface. This undulatory surfaced cam means 51' forms an integral part of member 5c, and forms the right end surface of the latter, as seen in FIGS. 4 and 5. Cam means 5k forms a pair of relatively deep, substan tially sinusoidally shaped recesses, or grooves, 5m and a pair of relatively shallow, substantially sinusoidally shaped recesses, or grooves, 5n. Recesses, or grooves, 5m and 5n are arranged at right angles, as clearly shown in FIG. 6. The cam surface on member 50' has two undulatory projections whose shape conforms to that of recesses 5m and who enter recesses 5m in the position of parts shown in FIG. 4. This is the fully closed position of the shut-off valve wherein its valve element 5d engages the valve seat 1h of FIG. 1. When knob, or handle, 5b is pivoted the cam surface on member 5c is transferred from the relatively deep recesses 5m in knob, or handle, 5b into the relatively shallow recesses 5 n thereof. In other words, a pivotal or rotary motion of knob, or handle, Sb results also in a movement of the latter and'of valve stem 5d in a direction longitudinally of stem 5d until the cam surface on member 50' snaps into the shallow recesses 5n under the action of spring 5g. One end of spring 5g rests against member 50, and its other end rests against a collar integral with valve stem 5a. It will be apparent from a comparison of FIGS. 4 and 5 that a rotation of knob, or operating member, 5b of 90 results in a movement of the latter and of stem 5a from left to right, as seen in FIGS. 4 and 5.

It will be apparent that the valve structure illustrated in FIGS. 4-7, inclusive, is not limited to the torch handle structure shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, inclusive, but may be applied in other similar instances where it is desirable to either fully open a passageway, or to fully close a passageway, and where it is not desired to admit any positions except the aforementioned limit positions, i.e., where a bistable valve is required, or desired.

The valve element 5d of FIG. 1 and the valve element 50" of FIGS.4 and 5 are preferably made of a suitable plastic materia]. In the embodiment of FIGS. 4-7 the valve stem 5a and the valve element 5d may be formed by a rod of a suitable synthetic resin.

All points where gas may escape are sealed by appropriate sealing means, such as O-rings. Reference character 7 has been applied in FIG. 1 to indicate O-rings, and reference character 7 has been applied in FIGS. 4 and 5 to indicate 0- rings. The member 2b of FIG. 1 may be held in position by a snap ring 8, mounted on handle body I.

I claim as my invention:

1. A torch handle including a. a handle body having a relatively small cross-sectional area on one end thereof and a relatively large cross-sectional area on the other end thereof and substantially continuously increasing in cross-sectional area from said one end thereof to said other end thereof to form an outer surface fitting into the palm of a persons hand, said handle body defining an inlet passageway having an entrance at said large cross-sectional area end thereof and further defining an outlet passageway arranged in substantially coaxial relation to and communicating with said inlet passageway and having an exit at said small cross-sectional area end thereof, and said handle body further defining a valve-passageway enclosing an acute angle with said inlet passageway and having an entrance at said large cross-sectional area end thereof;

b. a duct coupling mechanism on said small cross-sectional area end of said handle body for coupling ducts to said outlet passageway thereof;

c. an inlet fitting inserted into said inlet passageway for connecting a source of combustible gas to said inlet passageway; and

d. a valve inserted into said valve passageway for controllinG the flow of a gas from said inlet passageway to said outlet passageway, said valve including a valve stem movable in a direction longitudinally of said valve passageway and an operating member juxtaposed to said large cross-sectional area end of said handle body, rotatable about the axis defined by said valve stem and moving said valve stem in a direction longitudinally thereof.

2. A torch handle as specified in claim 1 wherein said small cross-sectional area end of said handle body includes a cylindrical surface circular in crosssection and having a plurality of perforations, wherein one of a plurality of balls is inserted into each of said plurality of perforations, each of said plurality of balls having a freedom of radial inward movement limited by said small end of said handle body, and wherein a spring biased sleeve member having two limit positions is mounted over said cylindrical surface, said sleeve member including means for selectively allowing and limiting radial outward movement of said plurality of balls.

3. A torch handle as specified in claim 2 wherein said handle body has a median plane bisecting said handle body, and wherein the radially outer portion of each of said plurality of perforations is non-radially oriented and arranged symmetrically to said median plane to allow formation of said radially outer portion of each of said plurality of perforations by portions of a mold oriented substantially at right angles to said median plane.

4. A torch handle as specified in claim 1 wherein a. the cross-section of said entrance ofsaid inlet passageway is in the shape ofa polygon;

b. said inlet fitting has a registering portion in the shape of matching polygon to preclude rotary motions of said inlet fitting inside said inlet passageway, said inlet fitting further having a circumferential groove;

c. the cross-section of said entrance of said valve passageway is in the shape ofa polygon;

d. said valve has a registering portion in the shape of a matching polygon to preclude rotary motions of said valve inside said valve passageway, said valve further having a circumferential groove;

. said handle body has a transverse bore adjacent said large cross-sectional area end thereof; and wherein f. a pin projects through said transverse bore and engages said circumferential groove in said inlet fitting and said circumferential grooves in said valve to preclude axial movements of said inlet fitting and of said valve in directions longitudinally of said inlet passageway and said valve passageway.

5. A torch handle as specified in claim 1 wherein said valve includes cam meanS imparting bistable characteristics to said valve so that said stern thereof is only stable in a fully open position and in a fully closed position of said valve.

6. A torch handle as specified in claim 5 wherein a. said valve stem of said valve is spring biased in a direction longitudinally thereof tending to move said valve stem to said fully closed position of said valve;

b. said operating member of said valve and said valve stem are affixed to each other to jointly move in axial direction and to jointly rotate;

. said operating member of said valve is provided with a first cam means arranged at one end surface of said operating member, jointly rotatable with said operating member and having an undulatory cam surface; and wherein d. a second cam means fixedly mounted in said handle body has an undulatory cam surface juxtaposed to and engaging said undulatory cam surface ofsaid first cam means.

7. A torch handle as specified in claim 1 wherein said handle body has a region of restricted cross-sectional area located between said large cross-sectional area end and said small cross-sectional area end thereof, the cross-sectional area of said region of restricted cross-sectional area being smaller than the cross-sectional area of said small cross-sectional area end of said handle body, and said region of restricted crosssectional area being located closer to said small cross-sectional end of said handle body than to said large cross-sectional area end thereof.

8. A torch handle as specified in claim 7 wherein the thickness of said handle body is substantially uniformthroughout the entire length thereof and the height of said handle body increases substantially continuously from said region of restricted cross-sectional area to said large cross-sectional area end thereof.

9. A torch handle including a. a handle body having a substantially circular cross-section of relatively small area on one end thereof and an oblong cross-section of relatively large area on the other end thereof and substantially continuously changing from said circular cross-section to said oblong cross-section to establish a substantially continuous outer surface fitting into the palm of a persons hand, said handle body defining a pair of passageways having axes enclosing an acute angle and terminating at said oblong cross-section end of said handle body, and said handle body further defining an additional passageway terminating at said circular cross-section end thereof and having an axially inner junction with one of said pair of passageways, said handle body further defining a valve seat situated at said junction and arranged in coaxial relation to the other of said pair of passageways;

b. a duct coupling mechanism at said circular cross-section end of said handle body for coupling ducts to said addi tional passageway thereof;

c. an inlet fitting inserted into said one of said pair of passageways for connecting a source of gas under pressure to said one of said pair of passageways; and

d. a valve insert inserted into said other of said pair of passageways and including a valve element arranged in coaxial relation to said valve seat, a valve stem for operating said valve element, and an operating knob juxtaposed to said oblong cross-section end of said handle body for operating said valve stem.

10. A torch handle as specified in claim 9 wherein said inlet fitting and said valve insert each have a recess in a juxtaposed outer surface thereof, and wherein a locking pin projects transversely through said handle body and engages both said recess in said inlet fitting and said recess in said valve insert thereby jointly locking said inlet fitting and said valve insert in position in said handle body.

11. A torch handle as specified in claim 10 wherein said inlet fitting and said valve insert are each provided with a circumferential annular groove, and wherein a locking pin projects transversely through said handle body and engages both said groove in said inlet fitting and said groove in said valve insert.

12. A torch handle as specified in claim 9 wherein the thickness of said handle body is substantially uniform throughout the entire length thereof, and the height of said handle body increases substantially continuously from said circular cross-section end thereof to said oblong cross-section end' thereof.

13. A torch handle as specified in claim 9 wherein said handle body has a region of minimum cross-sectional area arranged immediately adjacent said duct coupling mechanism.

14. A torch handle as specified in claim 9 wherein said circular cross-section end of said handle body is perforated and forms a ball cage for said duct coupling mechanism.

15. A torch handle as specified in claim 14 wherein said circular cross-section end of said handle body has a median plane and is provided with ball-receiving perforations having radially outer portions arranged substantially at right angles to said median plane. 

1. A torch handle including a. a handle body having a relatively small cross-sectional area on one end thereof and a relatively large cross-sectional area on the other end thereof and substantially continuously increasing in cross-sectional area from said one end thereof to said other end thereof to form an outer surface fitting into the palm of a person''s hand, said handle body defining an inlet passageway having an entrance at said large cross-sectional area end thereof and further defining an outlet passageway arranged in substantially coaxial relation to and communicating with said inlet passageway and having an exit at said small cross-sectional area end thereof, and said handle body further defining a valve-passageway enclosing an acute angle with said inlet passageway and having an entrance at said large crosssectional area end thereof; b. a duct coupling mechanism on said small cross-sectional area end of said handle body for coupling ducts to said outlet passageway thereof; c. an inlet fitting inserted into said inlet passageway for connecting a source of combustible gas to said inlet passageway; and d. a valve inserted into said valve passageway for controllinG the flow of a gas from said inlet passageway to said outlet passageway, said valve including a valve stem movable in a direction longitudinally of said valve passageway and an operating member juxtaposed to said large cross-sectional area end of said handle body, rotatable about the axis defined by said valve stem and moving said valve stem in a direction longitudinally thereof.
 2. A torch handle as specified in claim 1 wherein said small cross-sectional area end of said handle body includes a cylindrical surface circular in cross-section and having a plurality of perforations, wherein one of a plurality of balls is inserted into each of said plurality of perforations, each of said plurality of balls having a freedom of radial inward movement limited by said small end of said handle body, and wherein a spring biased sleeve member having two limit positions is mounted over said cylindrical surface, said sleeve member including means for selectively allowing and limiting radial outward movement of said plurality of balls.
 3. A torch handle as specified in claim 2 wherein said handle body has a median plane bisecting said handle body, and wherein the radially outer portion of each of said plurality of perforations is non-radially oriented and arranged symmetrically to said median plane to allow formation of said radially outer portion of each of said plurality of perforations by portions of a mold oriented substantially at right angles to said median plane.
 4. A torch handle as specified in claim 1 wherein a. the cross-section of said entrance of said inlet passageway is in the shape of a polygon; b. said inlet fitting has a registering portion in the shape of matching polygon to preclude rotary motions of said inlet fitting inside said inlet passageway, said inlet fitting further having a circumferential groove; c. the cross-section of said entrance of said valve passageway is in the shape of a polygon; d. said valve has a registering portion in the shape of a matching polygon to preclude rotary motions of said valve inside said valve passageway, said valve further having a circumferential groove; e. said handle body has a transverse bore adjacent said large cross-sectional area end thereof; and wherein f. a pin projects through said transverse bore and engages said circumferential groove in said inlet fitting and said circumferential grooves in said valve to preclude axial movements of said inlet fitting and of said valve in directions longitudinally of said inlet passageway and said valve passageway.
 5. A torch handle as specified in claim 1 wherein said valve includes cam meanS imparting bistable characteristics to said valve so that said stem thereof is only stable in a fully open position and in a fully closed position of said valve.
 6. A torch handle as specified in claim 5 wherein a. said valve stem of said valve is spring biased in a direction longitudinally thereof tending to move said valve stem to said fully closed position of said valve; b. said operating member of said valve and said valve stem are affixed to each other to jointly move in axial direction and to jointly rotate; c. said operating member of said valve is provided with a first cam means arranged at one end surface of said operating member, jointly rotatable with said operating member and having an undulatory cam surface; and wherein d. a second cam means fixedly mounted in said handle body has an undulatory cam surface juxtaposed to and engaging said undulatory cam surface of said first cam means.
 7. A torch handle as specified in claim 1 wherein said handle body has a region of restricted cross-sectional area located between said large cross-sectional area end and said small cross-sectional area end thereof, the cross-sectional area of said region of restricted cross-sectional area being smaller than the cross-sectional area of said small cross-sectional area end of said handle body, and said region of restricted cross-sectional area being located closer to said small cross-sectional end of said handle body than to said large cross-sectional area end thereof.
 8. A torch handle as specified in claim 7 wherein the thickness of said handle body is substantially uniform throughout the entire length thereof and the height of said handle body increases substantially continuously from said region of restricted cross-sectional area to said large cross-sectional area end thereof.
 9. A torch handle including a. a handle body having a substantially circular cross-section of relatively small area on one end thereof and an oblong cross-section of relatively large area on the other end thereof and substantially continuously changing from said circular cross-section to said oBlong cross-section to establish a substantially continuous outer surface fitting into the palm of a person''s hand, said handle body defining a pair of passageways having axes enclosing an acute angle and terminating at said oblong cross-section end of said handle body, and said handle body further defining an additional passageway terminating at said circular cross-section end thereof and having an axially inner junction with one of said pair of passageways, said handle body further defining a valve seat situated at said junction and arranged in coaxial relation to the other of said pair of passageways; b. a duct coupling mechanism at said circular cross-section end of said handle body for coupling ducts to said additional passageway thereof; c. an inlet fitting inserted into said one of said pair of passageways for connecting a source of gas under pressure to said one of said pair of passageways; and d. a valve insert inserted into said other of said pair of passageways and including a valve element arranged in coaxial relation to said valve seat, a valve stem for operating said valve element, and an operating knob juxtaposed to said oblong cross-section end of said handle body for operating said valve stem.
 10. A torch handle as specified in claim 9 wherein said inlet fitting and said valve insert each have a recess in a juxtaposed outer surface thereof, and wherein a locking pin projects transversely through said handle body and engages both said recess in said inlet fitting and said recess in said valve insert thereby jointly locking said inlet fitting and said valve insert in position in said handle body.
 11. A torch handle as specified in claim 10 wherein said inlet fitting and said valve insert are each provided with a circumferential annular groove, and wherein a locking pin projects transversely through said handle body and engages both said groove in said inlet fitting and said groove in said valve insert.
 12. A torch handle as specified in claim 9 wherein the thickness of said handle body is substantially uniform throughout the entire length thereof, and the height of said handle body increases substantially continuously from said circular cross-section end thereof to said oblong cross-section end thereof.
 13. A torch handle as specified in claim 9 wherein said handle body has a region of minimum cross-sectional area arranged immediately adjacent said duct coupling mechanism.
 14. A torch handle as specified in claim 9 wherein said circular cross-section end of said handle body is perforated and forms a ball cage for said duct coupling mechanism.
 15. A torch handle as specified in claim 14 wherein said circular cross-section end of said handle body has a median plane and is provided with ball-receiving perforations having radially outer portions arranged substantially at right angles to said median plane. 